Janja Garnbret won the women’s Lead final in Santiago, Chile, topping the route in every round and claiming her 52nd World Cup and World Climbing Series gold across all disciplines. Switzerland’s Jonas Utelli earned his first career series gold in the men’s final, while Japan’s Suzuki Neo and American Annie Sanders secured the season’s Lead Series titles.

By the Numbers
  • Garnbret has 52 career gold medals across World Cup and World Climbing Series competitions, including 34 in Lead.
  • Garnbret’s Lead golds came in 34 of 54 starts.
  • Suzuki won the men’s Series title with 4,820 points; Sanders won the women’s with 4,415.
  • Utelli scored 52 in the men’s final; runner-up Putra Tri Ramadani scored 49.
Yes, But

Garnbret’s Santiago victory did not secure her the season-long women’s title: Sanders claimed the Series crown despite missing the final, with Garnbret finishing second overall. Utelli’s gold was a surprise even to him, after he entered the final from fourth in the semifinals.

State of Play
  • Italy’s Laura Rogora took second in the women’s final, and Slovenia’s Rosa Rekar earned her first career podium in third.
  • Suzuki finished third in Santiago and first in the men’s season rankings; Indonesia’s Putra placed second in both.
  • The 2026 Lead season has concluded, with Garnbret turning to a break and rock climbing before preparing for next season.
Bottom Line

Santiago delivered both a landmark career win for Garnbret and a breakthrough first gold for Utelli, while the season standings underscored that a single final and the full-series title are separate contests.